Smoky Hill River near Mentor, KS
River level and flood forecast · Saline County
Normal4.4 ftas of Mon 3:45 PM
The river is 15.6 ft below flood stage (20 ft).
Flow: 161 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 6 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 28 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 24 ft |
| Flood stage | 20 ft |
| Action stage | 18 ft |
| Record crest (June 24, 2019) | 24.65 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 33 ftWidespread major flooding may be anticipated as water approaches the top of the levee system that surrounds the City of Salina with a possibility of a breach. Evacuations may be necessary.
- 31 ftFlooding of several roads outside the levee system around Salina can be expected as well as widespread flooding of farmland. The Army Corps of Engineers continue surveillance of the Salina Levee System.
- 28 ftThe Kansas City U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct continuous surveillance of the Salina Levee System. Low lying portions of Mentor Road near the river begin to flood as well as parts of Lamer Road south of Bridgeport. Widespread flooding of farmland near the river can be expected.
- 24 ftSome low lying rural county roads begin to flood along with extensive field flooding.
- 22 ftThe lower portions of ball fields and bike trail at Burke Park in Salina floods along with soccer fields near the river south of Magnolia Road.
- 20 ftFlood waters overflow the banks and agricultural fields upstream from Bridgeport to Assaria. Lowland flooding can be expected in the vicinity of the river. A portion of the bike trail near Burke Park in Salina floods.
Highest crests on record
- 24.65 ft — June 24, 2019
- 24.05 ft — July 4, 2019
- 21.47 ft — May 22, 2019
- 21.09 ft — July 31, 2013
- 20.99 ft — May 8, 2007
Recent crests: 19.17 ft (July 23, 2025) · 16.17 ft (June 18, 2025) · 10.1 ft (June 9, 2024) · 5.75 ft (August 10, 2023) · 5.87 ft (January 3, 2023)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (MTRK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.